607th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History: Activated on 15 December, 1941, at Fort Ord, California, from the 7th Infantry Division Provisional Antitank Battalion. Converted to a towed battalion in May, 1943. Arrived at Liverpool, England, on 21 April, 1944. Disembarked at Utah Beach 17–23 June. Supported advance on Cherbourg, fought along Seves River in July. Participated in drive to Le Mans and envelopment of the Falaise Pocket in August. Advanced to Moselle River in September and supported operations against Metz through November. Converted to a self-propelled battalion equipped with M36's in time for final assault. Joined drive toward Saar River, capture of Saarlautern, and subsequent fight against Siegfried Line in December. Deployed to the Ardennes sector in January, 1945. Committed against Siegfried Line again in February in the Schnee Eifel. Supported the capture of Koblenz in mid-March. Crossed the Rhine River at Boppard on 25 March. Sliced through Hessen and Thüringen during April and reached the Czechoslovak border near Plauen by mid-April. Thereafter, remained in defensive positions. Attached to: 82d Airborne Division; 9th, 28th, 87th, 90th, 95th Infantry divisions; 6th Cavalry Group. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

18.) Group Photo, Company B - This photo shows Company B at a 110 man strength. It is believed to have been taken between early Sept. and late Dec., 1942, possibly at Camp Hood but more likely at Camp San Luis Obispo, CA. Dating when the photo was taken is based on the following: 2nd Lieutenant Russell Newell, 1st row, 10th from the left, was assigned to the unit on Sept. 10, 1942, and the large group of men assigned from the midwest in very late Dec. are not present in this photo. The Officers are shown sitting in the front row along with the First Sergeant. The unit's cook is even shown on far right. Page two of the document provides a listing of the men's last names and known ranks. The Commanding Officer, Captain Taylor, is sitting 11th from the left, in the front row. Photo provided courtesy of Paul Stevens.

19.) Group Photo, Company C - This photo was taken at the same location, and during the same time frame, as the above Company B photo. The company commander, 1st Lieutenant John R. Yakshe, is sitting in the front row, 10th man from the left. Directly behind him is Staff Sergeant Stanley C. Lee who was the company mess sergeant. Private Joseph Aloi is standing in the 2nd row from the front, 8th man from the left. Photo provided courtesy of Paul Yakshe, son of Lt. Yakshe.

20.) Signed 5 Franc Note - A French 5 Franc note that was signed by 9 members of the 607th on June 26, 1944. This was done just 3 days after companies B and C had landed at Utah Beach. The 3rd and 4th pages include information on the 9 men. Images of the Franc provided courtesy of Jeff Giambrone.